• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.359-375
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• 2022

Purpose: Adult Korean men belonging to the main economically active population are known to have long sedentary hours. This study was undertaken to determine the difference and relevance of sedentary hours on the nutrition, diet, and health status of adult men, and to suggest how to prevent health risk factors. Methods: Subjects (n = 1,068) were classified into 4 groups based on their sedentary hours, ranging from the first quartile (Q1) having the least hours spent sitting, to the fourth quartile (Q4) spending the longest hours. Results: Subjects belonging to Q4 had the lowest average age, the largest waist circumference, and the highest level of education. Among those engaged in economic activities, the ratio of white-collar workers was significantly higher in Q4. Accordingly, the rate of not doing high-intensity or moderate-intensity physical activity while working was also the highest in Q4. A significant difference was obtained in the drinking frequency between groups, but this was found to be associated with the average working hours rather than sedentary hours. The proportion of not doing aerobic exercise was higher with longer sitting hours. The highest diagnosis of diabetes (8.8%) was obtained in the Q4 group. Among the factors related to cardiovascular disease, only low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant difference, with Q4 being significantly higher than Q1. Considering energy and nutrient intake, vitamin B₁ and calcium intake were the lowest in the group with the longest sitting hours, as well as the least consumption of vitamin C than the recommended estimated average requirement. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health and nutritional status of Korean adult men are affected by sedentary hours. This should be recognized as a health risk factor and guidelines need to be developed for sedentary lifestyle management.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.5-24
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• 2022

The current performance evaluation of slope anchors qualitatively determines the physical bonding between the anchor head and ground as well as cracks or breakage of the anchor head. However, such performance evaluation does not measure these primary factors quantitatively. Therefore, the time-dependent management of the anchors is almost impossible. This study is an evaluation of the 3D numerical model by SfM which combines UAS images with terrestrial LiDAR to collect numerical data on the damage factors. It also utilizes the data for the quantitative maintenance of the anchor system once it is installed on slopes. The UAS 3D model, which often shows relatively low precision in the z-coordinate for vertical objects such as slopes, is combined with terrestrial LiDAR scan data to improve the accuracy of the z-coordinate measurement. After validating the system, a field test is conducted with ten anchors installed on a slope with arbitrarily damaged heads. The damages (such as cracks, breakages, and rotational displacements) are detected and numerically evaluated through the orthogonal projection of the measurement system. The results show that the introduced system at the resolution of 8K can detect cracks less than 0.3 mm in any aperture with an error range of 0.05 mm. Also, the system can successfully detect the volume of the damaged part, showing that the maximum damage area of the anchor head was within 3% of the original design guideline. Originally, the ground adhesion to the anchor head, where the z-coordinate is highly relevant, was almost impossible to measure with the UAS 3D numerical model alone because of its blind spots. However, by applying the combined system, elevation differences between the anchor bottom and the irregular ground surface was identified so that the average value at 20 various locations was calculated for the ground adhesion. Additionally, rotation angle and displacement of the anchor head less than 1" were detected. From the observations, the validity of the 3D numerical model can obtain quantitative data on anchor damage. Such data collection can potentially create a database that could be used as a fundamental resource for quantitative anchor damage evaluation in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.168-183
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• 2023

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion: Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2023

Several domestically consumed sweetpotato derivatives, such as sweetpotato starch for processing raw materials, frozen and refrigerated paste, and powder are dependent on imports. This study was conducted to examine the suitability of sweetpotato cultivars of twelve varieties (powdery-type and viscous type) cultivated in paddy fields, for use in starch, chips, dried products, and beverages. The two-year average yield results of the four cultivars suitable for starch (in order of highest to lowest yield) was as follows: Gogeonmi (4,018 kg/10a); Daeyumi (3,615 kg/10a); Jinhongmi (3,426 kg/10a); Singeonmi (2,837 kg/10a). The starch content was 20.2%, 18.2%, 21.2%, and 20.6% in Daeyumi, Gogeonmi, Singeonmi, and Jinghongmi, respectively. The total amount of starch was higher in Daeyumi (730 kg/10a) and Gogeonmi (731 kg/10a) than that in Singeonmi and Jinghongmi. The yield of Pungwonmi and Shinjami were 4,443 and 3,602 kg/10a, respectively. Powdery-type sweetpotatoes (Daeyumi and Gogeonmi) showed the low decay rates of all cultivars (0.8 and 0%, respectively). The yield of the storage root formation and storage root swelling stages by water-logging treatment decreased by 16.5% and 15.4% for Pungwonmi, and by 17.2% and 10.0% for Shinjami. Drainage management of paddy fields is necessary to reduce the damage caused by water-logging. Our results suggest that cultivation of sweetpotato varieties suitable for processing raw materials in paddy fields will enable stable yields of sweetpotato with a high starch content.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2023

In Korea, excessive vegetation in rivers made up of sand and gravel is emerging as a nationwide problem, which is attributed to increased spring precipitation and decreased annual precipitation. Therefore, this study was conducted for the purpose of identifying the effect of changes in precipitation patterns on river vegetation in Namcheon, Gyeongju, and analyzing the area of vegetation and ecological characteristics. As a result of the study, the amount of monthly precipitation in the summer of Namcheon decreased after 2007, and the area of vegetation increased continuously compared to the area of the sandbank. The proportion of naturalized plants increased steadily when precipitation continued to a level that did not cause flooding, but the area occupied by naturalized plants was small. Also, when the water level is maintained, the species diversity is low due to the dominance of a single species, and the dominant species was mainly native plants. Dominance of native plants inhibited the growth of naturalized plants, but the vegetation area increased even more. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the spread of vegetation itself rather than the division of native plants and naturalized plants in order to eliminate the active growth and prosperity of river vegetation. High water levels and continuous flooding caused by torrential rains in summer disturbed the plant communities, and vegetation formed afterwards was mainly native plants. Such flooding in river ecosystems is a positive factor for the emergence of native plants and over-formed vegetation communities, so it should be considered when establishing a vegetation management plan.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.184-195
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• 2023

To develop an effective management plan for Ambrosia trifida L., an invasive alien plant in Korea, we assessed the potential of Ophraella communa LeSage as a biological control agent. This involved investigating the host specificity of the herbivore Ophraella communa LeSage, its annual travel distance, and the impact of this insect on the fitness of Ambrosia trifida L. We confirmed the host plant preference of Ophraella communa LeSage. The travel distance of this insect was determined by monitoring its appearance in selected Ambrosia trifida L. communities without these insects at distances of 10, 20, 30, and 100 meters, based on the locations where the presence of Ophraella communa LeSage was observed. The growth, reproductive, and physiological responses of Ambrosia trifida L. were measured according to feeding by Ophraella communa LeSage. As a result, Ophraella communa LeSage fed on only three taxa and moved short distances within a radius of 30 m per year from the host. The feeding behavior of the herbivore had a negative impact on the growth, reproductive, and physiological responses of Ambrosia trifida L. And the plant's growth and reproduction improved with increasing distance from the herbivore. Furthermore, the introduction of herbivores was able to control over 90% of Ambrosia trifida L. when the coverage of the Ambrosia trifida L. group was below 50%. However, the effectiveness of the removal decreased when the coverage exceeded 90%. These results are likely to be utilized by Ophraella communa LeSage as an ecological control agent. It is advantageous to introduce them in spring (May) when the coverage is low to maximize the effectiveness of control.

• Journal of International Area Studies (JIAS)
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.499-524
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to based on review of theoretical and empirical studies to assess the independence of central banks - the former Socialist republics, including the Russian Federation and Czech, Poland. In addition, the work is expected to clarify whether a link exists between independence and the most important economic indicators such as inflation, economic activity, the budget deficit. And The subject of this study are the formal and actual independence of national banks, as well as limiting factors: political and economic. Background investigation of the problem of independence of central banks from the fact that, according to many economists, it is essential to the successful development of a market economy. The effectiveness of any country's economy due to currency volatility, low inflation, high reliability of the banking system, etc. As far as the independence of monetary regulation contributes to these goals - one of the most actively debated issues in the world of economic theory and practice for a long time. The issue of central bank independence is extremely important for Russia, Czech, Poland. In the near future to the central bank has important tasks, among which are the transition to inflation targeting in the rejection of significant intervention in the foreign exchange market, as well as improving the sustainability of the national banking system. Transparency and independence of the Bank of Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, in my view, should be an important factor in achieving these goals. The countries of Czech Republic, Poland have already made a number of steps to bring the status of their banks to the European standards. Many other developing countries are also in the process of reforming their central banks and the improving conditions of their functioning. However, despite the fact that as a model for reform used by the central banks of countries with developed market economies, central banks in developing countries are still yet deprived of the legal, economic and political independence. A different situation exists in transition space. Because of significant differences in the views of the authorities in transition republics at the necessary level of independence of central banks and the exchange rate and monetary policy reform of monetary management in these countries led to different results.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2023

Currently, the floodplains of major rivers are transforming into various types of waterfront spaces according to the increase in leisure activities and improved accessibility. In general, waterfront activities in river channels tend to be concentrated in summer, and the waterfront activities during this period directly affect water quality. Accordingly, it is necessary to accurately compare and evaluate the characteristics and water quality of waterfront activities during the period when waterfront activities are concentrated. In this study, the following research was conducted to compare and analyze the current status of waterfront activities of users of waterfront areas and the water quality of waterfront areas. First, three waterfront areas were selected for investigation using the information from the Ministry of Environment's water quality measurement network. Second, a survey was conducted on the satisfaction and types of waterfront activities targeting users of waterfront areas. Third, water quality grades were calculated based on monthly water quality measurement factors and compared. Fourth, statistical analysis (one-way analysis of variance) was conducted to see if there was a significant difference in water quality characteristics between periods of high waterfront activity and periods of low waterfront activity using water quality measurement data for the last 5 years. As a result of this analysis, the following conclusions were drawn in this study. First, the use of waterfront activities was investigated in the order of camping, water skiing, fishing, swimming, and rafting. Second, satisfaction factors for waterfront activities were investigated in the order of activity convenience, water quality, waterlandscape, transportation access convenience, and temperature. Third, it was found that satisfaction with water quality in waterfront areas was generally unsatisfactory regardless of the water quality grade presented by the competent authority. Fourth, as a result of comparing the water quality measurement network data of the Ministry of Environment by water quality grade, generally good grades were found, and in particular, there was a difference in grade frequency by season in the BOD category. Fifth, as a result of statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) of water quality monitoring network data by season, there were statistically significant differences in COD, BOD, TP, and TOC except for DO. Considering the results of these studies, it is judged that it is necessary to prepare a comprehensive management system for water quality improvement in the waterfront zone and to improve water quality during periods of high waterfront activity, and to prepare a water quality forecasting system for waterfront areas in the future.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2023

The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea's Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100℃ (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 ㎍/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 ㎍/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009-0.260 ㎍/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.18-30
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• 2023

Forest destruction is an inevitable result of the development processes. According to the environmental impact assessment, over 10% of the destroyed trees need to be recycled and transplanted to minimize the impact of forest destruction. However, the rate of successful transplantation is low, leading to a high rate of tree death. This is attributable to a lack of consideration for environmental factors when choosing a temporary site for transplantation and inadequate management. To monitor transplanted trees, a field survey is essential; however, the spatio-temporal aspect is limited. This study evaluated the applicability of remote sensing for the effective monitoring of transplanted trees. Vegetation indices based on satellite remote sensing were derived to detect time-series changes in the status of the transplanted trees at three temporary transplantation sites. The mortality rate and vitality of transplanted trees before and after the transplant have a similar tendency to the changes in the vegetation indicators. The findings of this study showed that vegetation indices increased after transplantation of trees and decreased as the death rate increased and vitality decreased over time. This study presents a method for assessing newly transplanted trees using satellite images. The approach of utilizing satellite photos and the vegetation index is expected to detect changes in trees that have been transplanted across the country and help to manage tree transplantation for the environmental impact assessment.